Recent content by blackbirdxx

I guess a question I need to ask is how clean do I have to get the cornice prior to priming and painting?

Thanks for the responses... I'm ploughing onwards and have been scrubbing the soot with sugar soap. My main concern are the plaster cornices which still look pretty stained. I have scrubbed as much soot off the cornices as possible and intend to brush on the Zinsser primer into all the details...

I've had a small fire in my front room which has left the ceilings/plaster cornices/walls covered in dry black soot. I've tried to remove as much soot as possible whilst dry but was wanting a bit of help with what products/methods to use before repaint. The plaster cornices have quite intricate...

I had Aurora Enlite E8 LED downlights fitted in my kitchen and bathroom about 2 years ago as part of a complete house rewire. Ever since, and quite regularly, these units have started to flash continuously requiring replacement. Is the lifespan of these units known to be short or is there...

Thanks for the prompt response. Just to confirm.... The fact that the new 6mm t&e cable is sitting on the ceiling within the void is OK?? I'm doing this work in advance of getting an electrician in to connect to the new EV charger and the consumer unit which are both on different sides of the...

I've threaded a 6mm t&e cable through a ceiling void to an external wall in order to power a 7KW EV charger. Obviously, its difficult to pin the cable to joists to get clearnce from the ceiling. In this case, does the cable need to be in protective duct or is it not necessary as its RCD...

I'm planning to have a 5KW electric car charger installed at my house. Unfortunately, the CU is on the other side of the house to where I want the charger installed so I'm in the process of feeding a 6mm t&e cable through the house from the CU to keep things neat. I'm presuming I need to change...

I have a bungalow with a concrete tiled roof and the concrete valley leaks slightly in heavy rain. I've attached some pics of the valley which looks to have had bitumen sealant applied at certain times during its life. Based on the pictures, what do you think is the most appropriate fix? I...

Thanks for that - that's a start. Anything out of a tube to take out the seasonal movement??

Is an epoxy resin the best solution such as Resincoat. Its quite expensive so I thought I'd ask for advice first...

I have along concrete crack in my driveway which is about 15 years old. The crack is only a couple of millimetres wide, probably caused by shrinkage. I plan to chase out this crack shortly in advance of sealing it with something. My question is, what product do you recommend to do a neat...

I do remember signing the contract, so the work was between myself and the builder. I received no copy of the contract as the works were managed by a surveyor appointed by the insurance company. The builders haven't refused to do the work yet so I may be jumping the gun. I'm just a little...

Thanks for the feedback. Just to clarify, if I purchased the downlight units from Screwfix or anywhere else, I would be getting a 3 year guarantee. Is it not reasonable for the builder/electrician to pass this guarantee to me or am I asking too much? Also, you say there will be a 1 year...

I have had building work and a full electrical rewire carried out as a result of burst pipes and flooding. This was carried out by a building firm appointed by my insurance company. The overall drying out and building works have taken an age and the best part three years. I remember signing a...

Thanks for the info. I'm asking because the RCD which fails after a power cut is the one with the freezer on it. All food in the freezer will be lost following a very short power cut which would be annoying, especially if this can be avoided with a replacement RCD which doesn't trip.